Controlled Interest Land Register to start next year

The register to increase the transparency of land ownership in Scotland will become operational from 1 April 2022.

MSPs have approved the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) Regulations 2021, paving the way for the public register that will provide information about those who have a controlling interest in land, even if they are not registered or recorded as the owner of the land. It will also provide more transparency about land which is controlled by overseas trusts or entities.

The 2016 Act provided for the creation of the register, but further preparatory work has been required.

Registers of Scotland will maintain the register, which will be free to access.

The register will make it easier for individuals and communities to identify and engage with those who make decisions about land issues that affect them.

Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham commented: "The passing of these regulations marks a significant milestone towards making land ownership in Scotland more transparent.

"The new register will make Scotland a frontrunner in Europe and deliver greater transparency than any other part of the UK. It enables the public to look behind land ownership and identify those who control decision making.

"Significant consultation and engagement with key stakeholders has taken place over the course of developing these regulations, which fulfil a key component of our landmark Land Reform Act 2016. The register deepens Scotland’s continuing commitment to inclusive and transparent land ownership and reform."

Hamish Trench, chief executive of the Scottish Land Commission, also described (via Twitter) the approval of the regulations as a "big milestone", and knowing who controls decision making as "fundamental to modern land ownership".